If you are back for round two… congratulations on your successes during week one! If you’re just joining us, welcome~ we’re thrilled to have you here and hope you join the conversation! Let’s think about where we are starting! Level 1: Projects, activities and assignments lack challenge, are inappropriate, or do not cognitively engage students. -> Level 2: Projects, activities… Read More

As I look at many of the available web resources out there on questioning, I just can’t find one clearer or more to the point than this one from the Tulare County Office of Education. The best part is about halfway down the page, and is titled, “ELA CCSS Bookmarks.” The tittle is fitting I think, because just like when… Read More

1. What will you ask? Plan your questions in advance. Know your objective and plan questions that will support students’ deep understanding around that objective. 2. When will you ask? If you plan to ask two questions during a read aloud, sticky note them in the text. Maybe you are interested in students discussing their opinion about a topic you… Read More

Let’s think about where we are starting! If you missed the rubrics I posted yesterday, you may want to check them out. Level 1: Questions are rapid-fire,and convergent,with single correct answers. All discussion is between teacher and students; students are not invited to speak directly to one another. -> Level 2: The teacher frames some questions designed to promote student… Read More

Dear Teachers, Thank you for attending today’s work session on using centers in the primary classroom! Here are the links and documents I promised you. I hope you find them helpful. My favorite website for literacy centers is the Florida Center for Reading Research. It is amazing because the skills are organized by grade level and common core standard. To… Read More

💔Not all of the homes our students live in, are meant for a 24/7 quarantine. Not all of the adults who live with children can handle the added pressure. For many of our students, school has been an escape, a respite, a safe haven- from their home lives. And that escape was taken 3 months ago without warning.

🛎 I’ve come to appreciate in recent months, the vital role public school departments play in our communities. The scale of the work has been much grander than the academics and due dates. There are mobile food stations and wellness checks, phone calls and internet setups. There are intuitive teachers recognizing that “something’s just not right” and administrators encouraging them to trust their instincts.

🌼Kids are resilient. Often, they are so strong and brave, you’d never guess where they’ve been.

🌈The WHOLE picture is a big one right now. Before you judge a decision, know that there’s a whole lot you do not know. And know, that everyone involved has the best of intentions. I am in awe of the amazingly thoughtful and important work being done by my educator colleagues in schools all over right now. ...